Edward Nickolas Miller

Edward Miller joined his beloved wife of 70 years in Heaven on April 26, 2024 at the age of 92.  He was born in North Haledon, NJ on October 7, 1931, the son of late Cornelius and Trina Bansema Miller. 

He married Marion De Rose on November 14, 1953, who preceded him in death on February 19, 2024.  The two of them were never seen apart, and his heart was broken without her.  He passed just 19 days after her burial.  They are once again united in eternal rest.

Ed is survived by his daughter, Debra Harrison (Keith) of Griswold, CT, and his sons, Barry Miller of Hallstead, PA and David Miller of Punta Gorda FL; his grandchildren Timothy Harrison, Jason Miller, Amy Miller Shoemaker, Sharon Little, Trina Miller, Tammy Miller, and Nicole Sierra; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his grandsons, Matthew Miller and Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller; his daughters-in-law, Patricia Miller and Barbara Miller; and his siblings, Claudia Conklin, Ken Miller, Carolyn Bartkowicz, and C. John Miller.

He was a veteran of the US Navy during the Korean War 1952-1956,  serving as a pipefitter on the carrier, USS Shangri La and then on the USS Antietam, as she became the world’s first true angled-deck aircraft carrier.  He rode on the Shakedown cruise to Cuba and then a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea with the 6th Fleet and hunted for Russian subs off the English coast. 

Ed’s Navy experience and skills learned at the Paterson Technical High School set him on the path for a long career in the Gas division of Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) from 1956 – 1992.

The Second Reformed Church in Paterson, NJ and then Wyckoff, NJ was the church home for generations of the Miller and Bansema clans.  Ed grew up in the Sunday School and went on to serve as a devoted trustee, doing any work that needed to be done in the church and parsonage over the years.  A tree was planted in his honor at the church when he moved in 2006, and Preston City Congregational Church in CT became his new church home.

There was nothing Ed couldn’t do.  He and his dad, brothers and brothers-in-law helped remodel each other’s homes over the years.  During his retirement years, he continued to share his skills when his kids and nieces and nephews bought their homes no matter how near or far.  Hiring a contractor was not in his vocabulary.  His ingenuity was amazing.  If there was a task to be done, he devised his own tools and equipment from parts on hand.  He could be found on a ladder trimming trees, on his knees in his vegetable garden, and on his tractor every day until he was 90 and would have continued if the engine of his beloved John Deere didn’t fail along with a piece of his heart.

Family was the center of Ed’s life.  He was a very proud dad, grandpa, pop-pop, and uncle.  He and Marion raised their children in Clifton, NJ, which was the gathering place for the Miller and DeRose families for many memorable holidays and special occasions over the years.  He was the greatest cheerleader for his kids, grandkids and nieces and nephews, never missing a game.  Ed and Marion moved to Griswold, CT in 2006 to be next door to their daughter, Debbi, and spent many winters in Punta Gorda with David and Patty. 

The end of the greatest generation of Millers, Ed leaves a legacy along with his brothers and sisters, and they will live in our hearts forever.

The family would like to thank everyone who sent cards and kind words of sympathy; the wonderful nurses of Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL; and the staff of Tidewell Hospice Center in Port Charlotte, where he passed with dignity.

Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home in Griswold has been entrusted with his arrangements.  For online condolences please go to www.gagnefuneralhome.com.

Calling hours will be held June 7, 2024 at 11am at Preston City Congregational Church, with a memorial service at 12:00pm, followed by burial at the Preston City Cemetery with full military honors.  A reception will be served by the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Preston City Congregational Church in Edward’s name.

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